New managing partner for one of Scotland's biggest firms among latest list of partnerships, promotions and hires in Scottish legal sector

The latest list of partnerships, promotions, appointments and new hires includes a number of senior moves and appointments.

There is cause for celebration across the Scottish legal profession with dozens of appointments, promotions and partnerships to spotlight this month.

These include heavyweight moves at the most senior level, including a new Managing Partner for Shepherd and Wedderburn as well as the appointment of Bruce Adamson at the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities.

A gallery of the latest appointments and promotions can be found at the bottom of this list.

Balfour+Manson

Balfour+Manson has announced that Neil Crockatt has joined the firm’s Property team as a Partner in Edinburgh.
 
Neil brings a wealth of conveyancing experience, having worked in the industry for over 30 years. He joins from Coulters, where he was Partner and Head of Legal. Neil has also previously held senior leadership roles as Head of Residential Property at Blackadders and at Your Conveyancer, building a strong reputation for delivering high-quality advice across the residential property sector.
 
Ken Robertson, Head of Residential Property, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Neil to the firm. He brings significant experience and an excellent reputation in the residential property market, and we are very pleased to have him as part of our Property team in Edinburgh.”

Brodies

UK top 50 law firm Brodies LLP has added to its corporate crime practice with the appointment of new partner Neil Hay.
 
Neil is recognised for his expertise in criminal law and financial crime where he provides strategic legal advice and specialist court representation for individuals, companies and organisations under investigation or facing prosecution. With nearly 30 years’ experience, Neil is a solicitor advocate and the only Scottish criminal lawyer to be recommended by the Spears 500 index for his expertise in private crime cases. He is top ranked by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for his overall expertise in Scottish criminal law.
 
Neil joins Brodies from Levy & McRae along with legal director Andrew Seggie and senior solicitor Hannah Baxter.
 
Brodies managing partner, Stephen Goldie said: “The appointments of Neil and his team, alongside Ryan, reflect our continued focus on listening to our clients and responding with a strategy that meets their expectations of both our firm and the breadth and quality of specialist legal services we deliver.
 
“The decision by senior lawyers of this calibre to grow their practices at Brodies is a strong endorsement of the firm’s commitment to attract and develop outstanding talent.”

BTO Solicitors LLP

BTO Solicitors LLP has announced a series of senior promotions across the firm, recognising the contribution and expertise of its people. The promotions took effect from 1 April 2026.
 
Amanda Buchanan, formerly a Legal Director in BTO’s Employment team, and Lewis Richardson, a Solicitor Advocate and formerly a Legal Director within the Personal Injury team, have both been promoted to Partner.
 
Amanda, accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Employment Law in March 2026, has over 20 years of litigation experience and has been specialising in employment litigation for more than 15 years. She advises both employers and employees, with particular expertise in employment tribunal cases involving unfair dismissal and discrimination.
 
Amanda Buchanan said: “I am thrilled to be appointed Partner within such a collaborative team, and to be the fourth member of our team to be accredited as a specialist in employment law. I look forward to continuing to support our diverse client base and contributing to the ongoing development of the practice.”
 
Lewis, a dispute resolution specialist who has practised as a litigator throughout his career, has held extended rights of audience before the Court of Session and the UK Supreme Court since 2018.

Lewis Richardson said: “I am delighted to become a Partner and continue my career at BTO. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the firm’s leading Personal Injury and Advocacy practices delivering outstanding results for our clients.” 
 
In addition, Audrey Blair and Jennifer Deegan in the Residential Conveyancing team, along with Rhona McKerracher in the Personal Injury team, have been promoted to Legal Director.
 
Further promotions include Aaron Kane, a Solicitor Advocate in the Dispute Resolution team, who becomes Senior Associate, and Robert Dorrian, who steps up to Associate in the Employment law team.
 
These promotions form part of BTO’s ongoing investment in its people and align with the firm’s strategic growth plans.
 
Grant Hunter, Managing Partner at BTO, commented: “Our promotions reflect the strength of talent across the firm and our focus on developing our people. Amanda, Lewis and all our newly promoted colleagues have delivered exceptional work for BTO’s clients. We are delighted to celebrate their progression and wish them every continued success in their new roles.”

Elsewhere in the firm, BTO welcomed Donna Strong as a new Partner in the firm’s Real Estate team, based in its Glasgow office.
 
This senior hire follows the appointment of Partner John Dunlop in the firm’s Edinburgh office last year, further strengthening BTO’s growing real estate capability.
 
Donna brings over 20 years’ experience advising on all aspects of commercial real estate. She has an impressive track record of acting for developers, property investors, retailers and other occupiers, many of whom she has supported across the full property lifecycle.

Burness Paull

Burness Paull has promoted five of its lawyers to partner as the firm recognises commitment to excellent client service, continues to invest in developing talent, and readies itself for further growth.

The newly appointed partners are Jo McLean (technology and commercial), Fiona Carlin (restructuring and insolvency), Kirstin Beattie (construction and projects), Lisa Byars (employment), and Stuart Gardiner (real estate).

McLean is one of Scotland’s leading data protection lawyers who is increasingly in demand due to rapidly changing technologies, increasingly complex data ecosystems, and the escalating security risks that are facing businesses across the UK.

Carlin advises on a broad range of corporate insolvency matters, acting for banks and insolvency practitioners, as well as corporates, directors and individuals. She has advised on both of the restructuring plans to have been sanctioned in Scotland since they were introduced in 2020 as an option for companies in financial distress.

Beattie acts for a wide variety of clients across the UK on contract advisory and contentious construction matters. She has considerable experience in various forms of dispute resolution, including adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Byars advises clients on complex and sensitive employment matters, with a particular focus on businesses operating in the energy sector. Recognised for her expertise in high-stakes employment litigation and workplace discrimination matters, she is particularly sought after for advice in the complex and evolving area of competing protected beliefs in the workplace.

Gardiner has experience in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions including residential development, acquisitions and disposals, real estate finance and leasing, acting for both landlords and tenants.

The five new partners take the total number of partners at Burness Paull to 91 and are among 82 promotions effective from today (1 April) – including 12 directors, 19 senior associates, 20 associates, and 26 senior solicitors – across the firm’s practice areas and offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Peter Lawson, chair at Burness Paull, said: “Our ambition of being the leading law firm operating in and from Scotland hinges heavily on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented individuals who can deliver the high-quality advice and outcomes that our clients have come to expect from us. These promotions reflect our commitment to investing in our people at all levels and maintaining a culture of excellence in which we drive standards and support career progression in a meaningful and supportive way."

Elsewhere in the firm, Burness Paull has underlined its commitment to outstanding knowledge, training and client service by appointing Tim Dale to the new role of knowledge and client service partner.

Dale – who brings a decade’s experience of leading and growing a knowledge function in an international law firm – will be responsible for elevating all aspects of Burness Paull’s knowledge and learning, ensuring the skills and expertise of its people continue to develop in line with changes to the law, evolving industry best practice, and the dynamic commercial needs of clients.

He will also play an important role in assessing the impact of AI on the delivery of legal advice provided by the firm, as well as the identification and adoption of AI-powered solutions that drive value through efficiency and better client service.

Unusually for the legal industry, the new role has been made a partner-level position, reflecting the importance Burness Paull places on maintaining a culture of learning and continual improvement in pursuit of its goal of being the leading law firm operating in and from Scotland.

Peter Lawson added: “The appointment of Tim is an important milestone in our strategy. Our goal of being the leading law firm operating in and from Scotland can only be fulfilled by attracting outstanding talent and equipping them with the tools and ongoing learning required to advise on the business-critical, complex matters for which our clients look to us."

Digby Brown

Digby Brown has begun the process of succession as Fraser Oliver, Chief Executive of the firm, announces his plan to step down from the role. When Fraser was re-elected in 2025 he stipulated that his primary goal was to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

The new Chief Executive will take up the post on 1 April 2027. The firm went through a thorough process and were supported by independent leadership advisory consultancy FWB.

The firm is happy to announce that Mark Gibson has been chosen as Chief Executive Designate and will spend the next 12 months shadowing Fraser to expand his understanding and knowledge for what will be the next phase of Digby Brown’s journey.

Under Fraser’s tenure the firm has achieved strong growth with turnover rising from £20million to projected over £60million for the current financial year.

In terms of firm size, staff numbers have grown from 190 to 360.
Fraser Oliver said: “Over the last decade we have been able to develop and mature as a business.

“As well as being recognised as leaders in our field, we have become the best-known legal brand in Scotland.

“Our ability to deliver to our client’s great results and client service have been key to our success.”

Gillespie Macandrew

The firm has announced the appointment of two new Partners and 13 further promotions across its legal team. Caitlin Keegan, from the firm’s Residential Property team, and Fraser Vandal, from the Employment Law team, have been promoted to Partner. 

Caitlin began her legal career at Gillespie Macandrew as a newly qualified Solicitor in 2016 in the firm’s Morningside, Edinburgh office. Fraser joined in 2023, bringing significant Employment Law expertise to strengthen the firm’s Glasgow offering. 

Furthermore, the firm has made a series of internal promotions across its Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution, Corporate, Land & Rural Business, Energy & Strategic Land and Private Client teams. Kevin Sturgeon and Conner McConnell have been promoted to Senior Associate; Mark Milne, Ruth Thomson, Sam Conington, Katie Marshall, Kirsten Holmes and Laura Wilson to Associate; and Beth Hancock, Miles McKay, Alasdair Forsyth, Fiona Reid and Harry Donnelly to Senior Solicitor.

Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Merchant, welcomed the announcements:

“These promotions reflect the strength, ambition and talent of our people across Gillespie Macandrew. Caitlin and Fraser’s appointment to the Partnership, alongside the wider promotions, supports our long‑term strategy of sustainable growth across Scotland by investing in the people who drive our success. Strengthening our Partnership and wider teams ensures we continue to deliver the highest level of service to clients and respond to the evolving needs of the market across our Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth offices.”

Holmes Mackillop

Holmes Mackillop Solicitors has promoted Emma Donaldson, former senior associate in its private client team, to a director of the firm.
Following qualification as a solicitor in 2007, Donaldson has since focused on working for individuals and families in private client matters. She assists clients by assessing their particular family circumstances and advising on how their Will can be tailored to their needs, including advice on Inheritance Tax and wider estate planning.

Donaldson has extensive experience in estate administration as well as providing support to the executors and beneficiaries throughout the process.

A full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), she is also a tutor on the Private Client course on the Diploma for Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.

Congratulating Donaldson on her promotion, fellow director Ross Brown said: “Emma currently heads up our busy Bishopbriggs office and, having joined Holmes Mackillop with me four years ago, is a key member of our team."

Elsewhere, Homes Mackillop has appointed John Di Paola, former Legal Counsel - Vice President at Barclays, to its litigation team.

University of Cambridge and Glasgow graduate Di Paola brings over a decade of dispute resolution experience to the firm’s litigation team, headed by directors, Karen Condie and Craig Donnelly.

Hoxton Wealth

International financial advisory and wealth management firm Hoxton Wealth has appointed former Progeny Chief Commercial Officer Rob Aberdein as General Counsel and Director of Legal & Strategic Growth, as the international advisory firm embarks on building a global personal legal services capability within the group.
 
The newly created board-level role signals Hoxton’s move to integrate legal services alongside its existing wealth management and tax offering, creating a fully joined-up advisory platform for internationally mobile clients. Aberdein will lead the development of several connected regulated legal businesses designed to operate across multiple jurisdictions. 
 
Aberdein, a well-known face in Scotland’s legal community, previously founded and led Edinburgh’s Moray Group, achieving rapid growth before the business was acquired by UK wealth consolidator, Progeny. 
 
He later served as Chief Commercial Officer at Progeny, also in Edinburgh, contributing to its global expansion as an integrated advisory firm.
 
Rob has previously been an equity partner at English regional heavyweight Walker Morris and Scottish-headquartered UK firm, Aberdein Considine.

Hoxton Wealth CEO, Chris Ball said the appointment strengthens both the firm’s proposition and its leadership capability as it continues to scale internationally.
 
“Rob brings experience in scaling regulated professional services businesses and integrating them within a broader advisory model. That expertise will be critical at board level and will also help us establish a legal capability designed for high-net-worth UK nationals with cross-border needs.”

Jones Whyte

Jones Whyte has announced that the team from NewLaw Scotland LLP has joined the firm, bringing approximately 3,000 clients and over 30 solicitors, paralegals and support staff. The move further strengthens Jones Whyte's specialist litigation offering across Scotland.

The deal brings together experienced practitioners in clinical negligence, personal injury and credit hire litigation, enhancing Jones Whyte's ability to support clients across a wider range of complex claims. Clients of both practices will continue to work with the same legal teams and contacts they know, with ongoing cases transferring seamlessly into the Jones Whyte practice.

Paula McMillan and Laura McGee join Jones Whyte as Partners.

Paula previously led the clinical negligence practice at NewLaw Scotland and brings significant expertise in complex medical negligence litigation, an area of continued growth for the firm. Laura built and led NewLaw Scotland's personal injury and credit hire practices and will continue to develop that work within Jones Whyte's wider litigation division.

Ian McNaull, Managing Director of Jones Whyte, said: "We're really pleased with this exciting move. Laura and Paula have built an impressive practice with an excellent reputation, and their experience and leadership will strengthen our offering across Scotland.

"This comes at a time when our organic growth rate has doubled over the past 2 years, and on the back of winning the 2025 Herald and s1jobs Scottish Top Employer of the Year Award. Paula and Laura both bring fantastic sector experience and leadership at a stage of exciting further investment for our firm."

Lindsays

A new Partner heads a field of 15 promotions at independent Scottish legal firm Lindsays.

Lewis Crofts has stepped up from his previous role as Director in the Rural - Land and Business team, based in Edinburgh.

He becomes the third new Partner to be appointed at the firm - which works with individuals, families, business and charities across Scotland - so far this year.

The new appointments taking effect this month (Weds April 1) also include those at Lindsays’ offices in Glasgow and Dundee.

Lewis, who joined Lindsays in 2016 as a Solicitor before climbing the ranks, advises on a wide-range of matters involving all aspects of rural property, including crofts, large farming enterprises, estates and renewable energy issues. This is his second promotion in a year, having become a Director last April.

He said: “I have had some fantastic opportunities as part of my career at Lindsays and this is the greatest yet. I am incredibly excited to take this next step with the firm.

“The rural economy is critical to Scotland’s future. As land-based businesses become ever more diverse - against a rapidly-changing legal and financial backdrop - the need for carefully-considered, tailored advice across the sector has never been greater.”

In Dundee, Lisa Mannion has been promoted to become a Director in the Residential Property team. She was previously a Senior Associate, having joined the firm in September 2024.

And elsewhere at Lindsays, Lorna McKay joins the Rural Property Department in the position of partner this week and will be based in the Glasgow office.

Eight Senior Associates start new roles this month. They are:

• Kaman Au-Yeung, Commercial Property, Glasgow
• Adam Gardiner, Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Edinburgh
• Sam Miller, Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Glasgow
• Philippa Abernethy, Family Law, Glasgow
• Caitlin Connolly, Private Client, Edinburgh
• Lauren McGhie, Private Client, Glasgow
• Rachel High, Private Client, Dundee
• Sienna Sproson, Private Client, Dundee

Two Associates also step up from their previous roles as Senior Solicitors:

• Sandra Rzepka, Commercial Property, Edinburgh
• Jamie McGill, Personal Injury, Edinburgh

Natasha Vials (Residential Conveyancing, Dundee) and Adam Lewis (Commercial Property, Glasgow) make the step up from Paralegal to Senior Paralegal. Hollie Banks has been promoted to HR Officer within the HR team in Edinburgh.

Commenting on the promotions, Lindsays’ Managing Partner Andrew Diamond said: “One of our greatest achievements as a firm is recognising talent and offering opportunities for colleagues to develop their careers.

“I am proud that we are continuing that with this latest round of well-deserved promotions. I very much look forward to working with everyone in their new roles.”

Finally, Lindsays has announced the retirement from the partnership for Derek Duncan, Alasdair Cummings and James Andrew, wishing the trio a "long and healthy retirement".

Macleod and MacCallum

Macleod & MacCallum, Solicitors, based in Inverness and Portree have announced the promotion of their senior Associate, Aidan Grant, to Director with effect from 1st April 2026.

Aidan joined the Company as a trainee solicitor in 2016 and has become a key member of their Residential conveyancing team. Chief Executive Alison Martin commented: “Aidan’s promotion is just reward for the huge contribution he has made to the Company and for his role in growing our Residential team into one of the best in the Highlands.”

Aidan added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time since beginning my traineeship with the Company, and I am excited to continue my legal career with Macleod & MacCallum.

"As someone born and raised in Inverness, I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to serve my clients throughout the Highlands and Islands.”

MFMac

MFMac has announced the promotion of four legal directors to partner, effective 1 April, marking a major milestone in the firm’s evolution and growth.

The promotions follow the appointment of Claire Macpherson (Private Client) and Shaz Khalid (Corporate) as partners at the start of the year and represent the first internal partner promotions since the 2023 merger between MacRoberts and Morton Fraser to form MFMac. The move underlines the firm’s strategic focus on attracting, developing and retaining outstanding talent across its core sectors.

The promotions recognise the significant contribution each of the new partners has made to the firm and reinforce MFMac’s commitment to sustainable growth through investment in its people.

The new partners are:

• Lynsay Cargill, who is promoted to partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team. Lynsay will focus principally on the continued growth of MFMac’s real estate litigation practice.
• Emma Carmichael Stewart, who becomes a partner in the Real Estate team and will continue to lead the expansion of the firm’s English real estate offering to existing clients and professional networks.
• Cameron Greig, who is promoted to partner within the planning law practice in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team, with a focus on growing the firm’s planning offering to commercial clients.
• Lauren Hart, who becomes a partner in the Banking & Finance team, with a mandate to continue building the Debt Finance practice.

Commenting on the promotions, Chris Harte, CEO of MFMac, said: "These promotions represent a defining moment for MFMac. Making our first partner appointments from within the firm is a powerful statement about the culture we are building - one that recognises excellence, rewards commitment and provides clear progression for our people.

"Lynsay, Emma, Cameron and Lauren are exceptional lawyers who have each played a significant role in the firm’s success and I am delighted to welcome them to the partnership as we continue to invest in the long term future of MFMac."

Elsewhere in the firm, MFMac strengthened its position as Scotland’s most accredited employment law team, after two more of its lawyers were recognised as employment law specialists by the Law Society of Scotland.

Senior Associates Meghan Jenkins and Fiona Meek recently secured the accreditation, bringing the total number of accredited specialists within MFMac’s Employment team to ten – more than any other employment law practice in Scotland.

Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) has today announced that the former Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland, Bruce Adamson, has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.

Bruce Adamson is an internationally recognised human rights lawyer with 30 years’ experience working with communities in over 20 countries to advance legal and policy reform. He brings a strong track record of leading system change, strengthening accountability, and embedding the voices of people with lived experience in decision-making.

From 2017 to 2023, he served as Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. He worked with children, young people, families and civil society, through advocacy and strategic litigation to secure major reforms, including raising the age of criminal responsibility, prohibiting physical punishment, reforming rules on restraint, seclusion and loss of liberty, and incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

Bruce has advised national governments and international organisations including the UN, Council of Europe, European Union, OSCE and WHO. He chaired the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (2019–2022) during the COVID- 19 pandemic and the escalation of the war in Ukraine.

His career combines strategic leadership with frontline decision-making, including 13 years as a Member of Scotland’s Children’s Panel. He is a former Professor of Practice at the University of Glasgow School of Law and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is Vice President of Eurochild, Vice Chair of the global Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project, and Vice Chair of the Scotland Committee of the National Lottery Community Fund.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Four new members have been appointed to the SLCC Board. Gerrard (Ged) Bell joins on 1 April 2026 as a lay member. Denise Emslie and Inonge Siluka will also join as lay members on 31 January 2027, along with Shareen Gault who joins as a lawyer member.
 
SLCC Chair Jane Malcolm welcomed the appointments, “I’m delighted to welcome Ged to our Board today and we’re looking forward to Denise, Inonge and Shareen joining us at the start of next year.
 
“This is an exciting time for the SLCC as we launch our new four-year strategy focused on implementing the legislative changes agreed by parliament last year. Our Board will play a key role in supporting, challenging and championing the transformation programme that is now underway. And as commissioners, Board members also play a unique role in making specific decisions on individual complaints, meaning this a varied and important role.
 
“I would also like to thank Niki for her enormous contribution to the work of the SLCC over the past five years. As Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Interim and Deputy Chair of the Board, she has played a key role in steering the organisation through a period of significant uncertainty. I wish her every success for the future.”

Shepherd and Wedderburn

The Scotland-based UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has announced that Andy Hall will succeed Andrew Blain as Managing Partner from 1 May 2026.

Following his traineeship with the firm between 1993 and 1995, Andy specialised in real estate development where he built a strong and varied practice, joining the partnership in 2003 and assuming the role of head of the firm’s Property and Infrastructure group in 2013. In that role he has significantly developed the firm’s commercial property practice, which provides first-class legal services for a growing client base around the UK on a wide range of transactions and advisory matters.

Andy said: “Andrew has taken the firm from strength to strength, and I am excited and honoured to succeed him. I have been with the firm since I secured a traineeship here in 1993, and in that time, it has changed dramatically in many ways. Yet the fundamentals – such as our exceptional legal expertise, our focus on client service and our commitment to innovation – have endured. They will be the bedrock of our future success as well. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank Andrew Blain for his significant contribution to the firm in his role as Managing Partner, and for all that he and the firm have achieved during his tenure.”

Andrew Blain assumed the role of Managing Partner in May 2019. Under his leadership, the firm has delivered six consecutive years of revenue growth and a 57% increase in profits. Over the same period, the firm has grown to 91 partners and strengthened its position as a market-leader in Clean Energy, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Banking and Finance, Technology and Life Sciences, and Private Wealth.

In its most recent results, S+W reported a 10% increase in turnover and a 20% rise in net profits to £36.1 million for the year ending 30 April 2025. Since then, three new Partners have joined the firm: Graham Young (Project Finance), Donald Smith (Corporate Finance) and Marcus Wright (English Real Estate).